2. analog
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Is Digital actually better than Analog?

I just purchased an Esoteric DV-50s. The unit is fantastic in the sense that you can hear every detail very clearly in most recordings. Here is the thing, does it make for an enjoyable musical expereince? With this type of equipment, you can actually tell who can actually sing and who can really play. Some artist who I have really enjoyed in the past come across as, how shall I put it, not as talented. This causes almost a loss of enjoyment in the music.
Which comes to my Vinyl curiousity. I dont own a single record, but I have been curious why so many have kept the LP's (and tubes for that matter) alive for so long after the digital revolution and now I am thinking it is probably has to do with LP's being more laid back and maybe even more musical. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Would someone recommend going back to Analog. I was thinking of getting a entry level player like a Scout Master.
musicaudio

Showing 5 responses by queg

queg
55 posts
 
Funny,
Highend equipment's ability to expose faulty or "not as talented" musicianship is the primary reason why I spend the bucks for the equipment in the first place.

I'm referring to the minute "human" element in a performance. Variations in delivery, such as a voice slightly cracking.. held notes drifting off-key.. retarded or rushed tempo's.. these qualities are often responsible for more emotional content then the composition itself.

Granted, these qualities are usually undesirable in classical music. But in that case, good equipment helps expose more of the conductor's interpretation (via tempo, dynamics, etc) as well as the dimensional, vibrant and colorful (why is "color" a bad word to audiophiles?) presention of a well orchestrated composition.

Vinyl to my ears delivers all of the above.
queg
55 posts
 
Aren't there already enough phase problems with 2 channel stereo?

I've never heard a multi channel system that didn't sound less artificial or incoherent then most 2 channel. It's fine for "shish, boom, bah!" noise making.. but I'm into the reproduction of music in my home. If I want something else I can go to the movie theater or club (I've heard psychedelic trance produced for a surround system and played back in a club specifically set up to do it. Awesome.)
queg
55 posts
 
"recreates the 360 degree algorithms present in all reverb and harmonizing equipment used by professional studios to make recordings? "

Okaaay.

As far as I'm concerned we're talking about apples and oranges. I'll go with you that these effects sound awesome on multichannel. I've used similar digital software effects in my Logic based studio (spatializers and such).

But I don't believe RVG used much "harmonizing equipment".

Of course it is true I still have very much to learn about audio. :-)
queg
55 posts
 
I respect your preference and I'm sure your system sounds great. In fact, I'm sure I'd enjoy your system very much.

But I prefer something different in my own home.

Somewhat related:
I just interviewed with one of the top multichannel system installers in the country yesterday. I expressed my preference for 2 channel vinyl systems and suggested they offer this option to their clients.

They didn't call me back.
queg
55 posts
 
D edwards: I wasn't interviewing to be a tech or engineer. They needed an experience operations guru to help streamline their project management and workflow process. I wouldn't have been speaking with them if I wasn't sufficiently qualified. Frankly, it wasn't a good fit. I didn't show enough enthusiasm because I didn't have enuough enthusiasm.

On topic:
High quality 2 channel (which, like Ozzy, I suspect you've never actually heard) has a subtle but exceptional emotional quality that (for me) became discernable only after many, many hours of alone time (rather then show off time) in my listening chair.

Like taste in music, it's a personal thing. I don't proselytize, or try to make others hear what I'm hearing and "convert" them.
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